The complete name of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is Abul Pakir Jainulabudeen Abdul Kalam. He was born on 15 October 1931 to Jainulabudeen, a Tamil Muslim boat owner and Ashiamma, a housewife, at Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu. He was a central figure in the development of the country’s nuclear capabilities and was hailed as a national hero after a series of successful tests in 1998. Kalam served as India’s president for one term from 2002 to 2007, and died of a heart attack on July 27, 2015.There are many facts about him which most of the people unaware of.
Here we are presenting few interesting facts about Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.
1. He was born at Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu to an impoverished family of seven whose sole source of income was a boat. To contribute to their dwindling finances, he started selling newspapers at a very young age.
2. On the occasion of his birthday, the United Nations (UN) in 2015 had declared to observe it as World Student’s Day.
3. Kalam missed an opportunity to become a fighter pilot for the Indian Air force. He was on the ninth spot on the list, and there were only eight openings. The first eight shortlisted candidates were recruited.
4. Kalam completed his graduation from Saint Joseph’s College, Trichurapally in 1954. In 1955, he enrolled at the Madras Institute of Technology.
5. Kalam was honored with many awards, including the highest civilian award in the country, the Bharat Ratna (1997). His other awards include Padma Bhushan (1981) and Padma Vibhushan (1990).
6. Kalam became the President of the largest democracy of the world –India – on July 25, 2002. He was known as “the People’s President” because of his simple and down-to-earth attitude.
7. Researchers at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), NASA, discovered a new radiation-resistant bacteria in 2017 and named it ‘Solibacillus Kalamii’ to honour the late President.
8. Kalam’s visit to Switzerland is commemorated as Science Day in the country. This declaration in his honour was made by the Swiss government after the sad demise of this great personality.
9. Kalam also made significant contributions to the nuclear capabilities of India. The Pokhran -2 nuclear tests (in 1998) were successful thanks to his organizational and technical support.
10. Kalam was an avid reader and writer. He authored no less than 15 books on various topics, including nuclear physics and spiritual experiences.
11. Kalam wrote a great deal of poetry in Tamil, and was very fond of playing the stringed instrument Veena. He has also published several books such as Wings of Fire, Ignited Minds, Inspiring Thoughts, and Turning Points among others.
12. Throughout his life, he supported the abolition of the death penalty saying that as President of India he felt pain in deciding mercy petitions of death row convicts.
13. In 1969, Kalam was made the project director for Satellite Launch Vehicles and was shifted to ISRO. The project became successful, and India, under the directorship of Kalam, was able to launch the Rohini satellite series into Earth’s orbit.
14. Interestingly, Kalam was also honoured with doctorates from 40 universities.
